A Feasibility Study of CT-Guided Osteosynthesis under Local Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of local anesthesia for perioperative pain control in patients undergoing CT-guided percutaneous osteosynthesis. METHODS: A total of 12 patients underwent percutaneous osteosynthesis under local anesthesia. Intraoperative pain was assessed after the procedure using numerical rating scale (NRS). Patients were also asked to rate their overall experience of the operation using the following scale: "highly comfortable, comfortable, hardly comfortable, uncomfortable" and, finally, "Would you be willing to repeat this intervention again under the same conditions if necessary?" Patients were also clinically followed up at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months using the EQ5D5L scale to assess their pain and quality of life. RESULTS: Patients underwent percutaneous osteosynthesis for osteoporotic (n = 9), pathological (n = 2), or traumatic fractures (n = 1), including the thoraco-lumbar spine (n = 8) or the pelvis (n = 4). The mean of NRS value experienced during the procedure was 3.4/10 (0-8). The overall feeling was highly comfortable (42%), comfortable (50%), hardly comfortable (8%), and uncomfortable (0%). Finally, 75% of patients answered "YES" to the question of repeating the operation under the same conditions if necessary. At follow-up, a significant reduction in pain was observed postoperatively. According to the EQ5D5L scale, there was a significant improvement in pain, mobility, self-activities, autonomy, and perceived quality of life at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Radiological percutaneous osteosynthesis is an effective technique that can be performed under local anesthesia with a comfortable experience for most of the patients.

COVID-19 hospitalization outcomes in adults by HIV status; a nation-wide register-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 by HIV status and risk factors for severe COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PWH), we performed a nationwide cohort study using register data. METHODS: All people aged ≥18 years hospitalized with a primary COVID-19 diagnosis (U07.1 or U07.2) in Sweden between February 2020 and October 2021 were included. The primary outcome was severe COVID-19 [intensive care unit (ICU) admission or 90-day mortality]. Secondary outcomes were days in hospital and ICU, complications in hospital, and risk factors for severe COVID-19 in PWH. Regression analyses were performed to assess severe COVID-19 by HIV status and risk factors. RESULTS: Data from 64 815 hospitalized patients were collected, of whom 121 were PWH (0.18%). PWH were younger (p < 0.001), and larger proportions were men (p = 0.014) and migrants (p < 0.001). Almost all PWH had undetectable HIV-RNA (93%) and high CD4 T-cell counts (median = 560 cells/µL, interquartile range: 376-780). In an unadjusted model, PWH had statistically significant lower odds of severe COVID-19 compared with patients without HIV [odds ratio (OR) = 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-0.94], but there was no significant difference after adjusting for age and comorbidity (adjusted OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.43-1.26). A statistically significant lower proportion of PWH (8%, 95% CI: 5-15%) died within 90 days compared with those without HIV (16%, 95% CI: 15-16%, p = 0.024). There was no statistically significant difference in days in hospital and complications during the hospital stay between PWH and patients without HIV. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide study including well-treated PWH, HIV was not a risk factor in hospitalized patients for developing severe COVID-19.

Spatial and seasonal use of biomarkers in dreissenids: implications for biomonitoring.

In addition to pollution, organisms are exposed to natural variations of the biotic and abiotic factors of their environment. A battery of sub-cellular biomarkers has been measured seasonally in several populations of both Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis. To observe and understand the variability associated with biomarker responses, water physicochemistry, sediment contamination, and internal concentrations of contaminants in soft tissues were also considered. Results evidenced seasonal, inter-specific, and inter-populational variability of the measured responses, highlighting the needs (1) to acquire long-term data on the studied populations and (2) to incorporate environmental parameters and contamination in the interpretation of biological responses. From a biomonitoring perspective, significant relationships were identified between biomarkers, internal concentrations of contaminants in soft tissues, and sediment contamination in D. r. bugensis and, to a lesser extent, in D. polymorpha. The detailed interpretation of each biomarker of the battery measured is complex, but a global analysis of all biomarkers at once allows to obtain this signature of the contamination of the studied sites.

Rapid Cortical Bone Loss at the Distal Radius Is Associated With Higher Risk of Fracture in Older Men - The STRAMBO Study.

Rapid loss of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is associated with higher fracture risk after adjustment for confounders including initial aBMD. However, the link between bone microarchitecture decline and fracture is not clear. We studied the association between bone microarchitecture deterioration assessed prospectively over 4 years and the subsequent fracture risk in older men. Bone microarchitecture at the distal radius and tibia was assessed by high-resolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT; XtremeCT, Scanco Medical) (baseline, 4 years) in 732 men aged 60-87 years. During the 8-year follow-up, 109 men had fragility fractures. Areal BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After adjustment for age, weight, prior falls and fractures, distal radius aBMD (baseline, slope), and baseline distal radius total volumetric BMD (Tt.BMD), a faster decrease in distal radius Tt.BMD was associated with higher fracture risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.54/SD, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.95, p < .005). Rapid cortical bone loss was associated with higher fracture risk (cortical thickness: HR = 1.48; 1.15-1.90, p < .01; cortical BMD: HR = 1.38; 1.11-1.72, p < .01). The rate of trabecular bone loss at the distal radius and the rate of bone microarchitecture decline at the distal tibia were not associated with fracture risk. After adjustment for aBMD and distal radius HR-pQCT measures assessed after 4 years, changes in Tt.BMD were associated with higher fracture risk (e.g., Tt.BMD: HR = 1.37; 1.11-1.69, p < .005). Compared with the reference model (age, weight, prior fractures and falls, baseline and slope of aBMD, baseline HR-pQCT value), further addition of the slope of the HR-pQCT measure did not improve the fracture prediction. Thus, rapid cortical bone loss at the distal radius is associated with higher fracture risk in the multivariable models including baseline values of the HR-pQCT measure. However, repeated HR-pQCT measurements did not improve the assessment of the fracture risk in older men (compared with the reference model defined earlier). © 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Lower need for allogeneic blood transfusion after robotic low anterior resection compared with open low anterior resection: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Robotic low anterior resection (R-LAR) for rectal cancer may decrease estimated blood loss compared with open low anterior resection (O-LAR). The aim of this study was to compare estimated blood loss and blood transfusion within 30 days after O-LAR and R-LAR. This was a retrospective matched cohort study based on prospectively registered data from Västmanland Hospital, Sweden. The first 52 patients operated on using R-LAR for rectal cancer at Västmanland Hospital were propensity score-matched 1:2 with patients who underwent O-LAR for age, sex, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology physical classification system), and tumor distance from the anal verge. In total, 52 patients in the R-LAR group and 104 patients in the O-LAR group were included. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the O-LAR group compared with R-LAR: 582.7 ml (SD ± 489.2) vs. 86.1 ml (SD ± 67.7); p < 0.001. Within 30 days after surgery, 43.3% of patients who received O-LAR and 11.5% who received R-LAR were treated with blood transfusion (p < 0.001). As a secondary post hoc finding, multivariable analysis identified O-LAR and lower pre-operative hemoglobin level as risk factors for the need of blood transfusion within 30 days after surgery. Patients who underwent R-LAR had significantly lower estimated blood loss and a need for peri- and post-operative blood transfusion compared with O-LAR. Open surgery was shown to be associated with an increased need for blood transfusion within 30 days after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Are the results from a multiplex proteomic assay and a conventional immunoassay for NT-proBNP and GDF-15 comparable?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare absolute plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) obtained by a conventional immunoassay with the corresponding relative concentrations from a proximity extension assay (PEA) and compare the prognostic impact of the protein levels obtained from these assays. METHODS: We evaluated 437 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and a population-based cohort of 643 individuals without PAD. Correlations were calculated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (rho). The discriminatory accuracy of the protein levels to predict future cardiovascular events was analyzed with Cox regression and presented as time-dependent areas under the receiver-operator-characteristic curves (tdAUCs). RESULTS: For NT-proBNP, the two assays correlated with rho 0.93 and 0.93 in the respective cohort. The PEA values leveled off at higher values in both cohorts. The corresponding correlations for GDF-15 were 0.91 and 0.89. At 5 years follow-up, the tdAUCs in the patient cohort were similar for NT-proBNP and GDF-15 regardless of assay used (0.65-0.66). The corresponding tdAUCs in the population-based cohort were between 0.72 and 0.77. CONCLUSION: Except for the highest levels of NT-proBNP, we suggest that PEA data for NT-proBNP and GDF-15 reliably reflects absolute plasma levels and contains similar prognostic information.

Solvent-Controlled Quadruple Catenation of Giant Chiral [8+12] Salicylimine Cubes Driven by Weak Hydrogen Bonding.

Mechanically interlocked structures are fascinating synthetic targets and the topological complexity achieved through catenation offers numerous possibilities for the construction of new molecules with exciting properties. In the structural space of catenated organic cage molecules, only few examples have been realized so far, and control over the catenation process in solution is still barely achieved. Herein, we describe the formation of a quadruply interlocked catenane of giant chiral [8+12] salicylimine cubes. The formation could be controlled by the choice of solvent used in the reaction. The interlocked structure was unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and weak hydrogen bonding was identified as a central driving force for the catenation. Furthermore, scrambling experiments using partially deuterated cages were performed, revealing that the catenane formation occurs through mechanical interlocking of preformed single cages.

C-reactive protein predicts endocortical expansion but not fracture in older men: the prospective STRAMBO study.

In older men, higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations were associated with faster prospectively assessed endocortical expansion (distal radius, distal tibia) and slightly higher cortical bone loss at distal tibia, but not with the fracture risk. High hsCRP level has a limited impact on bone decline in older men. PURPOSE: Data on the link of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with bone loss and fracture risk are discordant. We studied the association of the hsCRP with the prospectively assessed decrease in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone microarchitecture decline, and fracture risk in older men. METHODS: At baseline, hsCRP was measured in 823 men aged 60-88. Areal BMD and bone microarchitecture (distal radius, distal tibia) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral QCT, respectively, at baseline and after 4 and 8 years. Data on incident fractures were collected for 8 years. RESULTS: Higher hsCRP concentration was associated with faster increase in aBMD at the whole body and lumbar spine, but not other sites. Higher hsCRP levels were associated with faster decrease in cortical area and more rapid increase in trabecular area at the distal radius (0.048 mm2/year/SD, p < 0.05) and distal tibia (0.123 mm2/year/SD, p < 0.001). At the distal tibia, high hsCRP level was associated with greater decrease in total and cortical volumetric BMD (vBMD) and in failure load. The hsCRP levels were not associated with the fracture risk, even after accounting for competing risk of death. CONCLUSION: Higher hsCRP levels were associated with greater endocortical expansion at the distal radius and tibia. Higher hsCRP was associated with slightly faster decrease in total and cortical vBMD and failure load at distal tibia, but not with the fracture risk. Thus, high hsCRP levels are associated with faster cortical bone loss, but not with fracture risk in older men.

Patient-oriented risk score for predicting death 1 year after myocardial infarction: the SweDen risk score.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to derive, based on the SWEDEHEART registry, and validate, using the Western Denmark Heart registry, a patient-oriented risk score, the SweDen score, which could calculate the risk of 1-year mortality following a myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: The factors included in the SweDen score were age, sex, smoking, diabetes, heart failure and statin use. These were chosen a priori by the SWEDEHEART steering group based on the premise that the factors were information known by the patients themselves. The score was evaluated using various statistical methods such as time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curves of the linear predictor, area under the curve metrics, Kaplan-Meier survivor curves and the calibration slope. RESULTS: The area under the curve values were 0.81 in the derivation data and 0.76 in the validation data. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed similar patient profiles across datasets. The calibration slope was 1.03 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.08) in the validation data using the linear predictor from the derivation data. CONCLUSIONS: The SweDen risk score is a novel tool created for patient use. The risk score calculator will be available online and presents mortality risk on a colour scale to simplify interpretation and to avoid exact life span expectancies. It provides a validated patient-oriented risk score predicting the risk of death within 1 year after suffering an MI, which visualises the benefit of statin use and smoking cessation in a simple way.

Comparison of Face-to-Face vs Digital Delivery of an Osteoarthritis Treatment Program for Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis.

Importance: Digital care platforms have been introduced, but there is limited evidence for their efficacy compared with traditional face-to-face treatment modalities. Objective: To compare mean pain reduction among individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip who underwent face-to-face vs digital first-line intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants: This registry-based cohort study included all persons with knee or hip osteoarthritis who participated in structured first-line treatment for osteoarthritis in a primary care setting in Sweden. Inclusion criteria were as follows: the treatment was delivered face-to-face or digitally between April 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019; patients provided 3-month follow-up data for pain; and patients had program adherence of at least 80%. Data analysis was conducted in March 2021. Exposures: Participants completed a 3-month intervention, including education and exercise for hip or knee osteoarthritis, with program adherence of 80% or higher, delivered face-to-face or by a digital application. Main Outcomes and Measures: Difference in change in joint pain (11-point numeric rating scale, with 0 indicating no pain and 10, the worst possible pain) between baseline and 3-month follow-up between the 2 intervention modalities. A minimal clinically important difference in pain change between groups was predefined as 1 point. Secondary outcomes were walking difficulties, health-related quality of life, willingness to undergo joint surgery, and fear avoidance behavior. Results: A total of 6946 participants (mean [SD] age, 67 [9] years; 4952 [71%] women; 4424 [64%] knee OA; 2504 [36%] hip OA) were included, with 4237 (61%) receiving face-to-face treatment and 2709 (39%) receiving digital treatment. Both the face-to-face (mean change, -1.10 [95% CI -1.17 to -1.02] points) and digital interventions (mean change, -1.87 [95% CI, -1.94 to -1.79] points) resulted in a clinically important pain reduction at 3 months. Participants in the digitally delivered intervention experienced a larger estimated improvement at 3 months (adjusted mean difference, -0.93 [95% CI, -1.04 to -0.81] points). Results of secondary outcomes were broadly consistent with main outcome. Conclusions and Relevance: This Swedish national registry-based cohort study showed that people with knee or hip OA participating in first-line intervention experienced clinically relevant improvements in pain, whether delivered face-to-face or digitally. The increased benefit of digital delivery compared with face-to-face delivery was of uncertain clinical importance.

Association of Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone Status With the Aging-Related Decline of Bone Microarchitecture in Older Men: The Prospective Structure of Aging Men's Bones (STRAMBO) Study.

Poor vitamin D status and high parathyroid hormone (PTH) level are associated with impaired bone microarchitecture, but these data are mainly cross-sectional. We studied the association of the baseline PTH and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD) levels with the prospectively assessed deterioration of bone microarchitecture and in estimated bone strength in older men. Distal radius and tibia bone microarchitecture was assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) at baseline, then after 4 and 8 years in 826 men aged 60-87 years. At distal radius, total bone mineral density (Tt.BMD), cortical thickness (Ct.Thd ), cortical area (Ct.Ar), cortical BMD (Ct.BMD), and trabecular BMD (Tb.BMD) decreased, whereas trabecular area (Tb.Ar) increased more rapidly in men with 25OHD ≤20 ng/mL versus the reference group (>30 ng/mL). Men with 25OHD ≤10 ng/mL had faster decrease in reaction force and failure load than men with 25OHD >30 ng/mL. At the distal tibia, Tt.BMD, Ct.Thd , Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, failure load, and reaction force decreased, whereas Tb.Ar increased more rapidly in men with 25OHD between 10 and 20 ng/mL versus the reference group. The results were similar when 12 ng/mL was used as a threshold of severe vitamin D deficiency. At distal radius, men with PTH levels above the median (>44 pg/mL) had more rapid decrease in Tt.BMD, Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, Ct.Thd , reaction force, and failure load, and more rapid increase in Tb.Ar versus the lowest quartile (≤34 pg/mL). At the distal tibia, men in the highest PTH quartile had faster decrease in Tt.BMD, Ct.Thd , Ct.Ar, Ct.BMD, reaction force, and failure load and faster increase in Tb.Ar versus the lowest quartile. The results were similar in men with glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min. The results were similar in men who took no vitamin D or calcium supplements for 8 years. In summary, vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism are associated with more rapid prospectively assessed cortical and trabecular bone decline in older men. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Orthopedic surgical procedures in 3,305 children and young adults with cerebral palsy: a register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few reports have described the panorama of orthopedic surgeries that children with cerebral palsy (CP) undergo. We analyzed the risk of a first surgery, and describe the frequency of orthopedic surgeries in terms of age, sex, anatomical location, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level in children and young adults with CP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a register-based cohort study of 3,305 individuals followed until 2-25 years of age. We used data from 2 national Swedish registers: the CPUP CP surveillance program and the Swedish National Patient Register. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated to describe the risk of undergoing a first orthopedic surgery, related to age. RESULTS: We included data for 3,311 orthopedic operations in 1,717 surgical sessions. The percentage of children operated on before age 15 years increased from 22% (95% CI 19-26) for GMFCS level I to 70% (CI 64-75) for level V. Ankle and foot surgery was predominant as first surgery for GMFCS I-II, and hip and femur surgery for GMFCS IV-V. Spinal surgery occurred almost exclusively for GMFCS IV-V. Descriptive data showed repeated surgical sessions to be frequent for higher GMFCS levels. INTERPRETATION: The risk of having a first orthopedic surgical treatment increased with increasing GMFCS level and was initiated at younger age in children with higher GMFCS level.

Immediate increase in perceived energy after exercise during the course of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Exercise during chemotherapy has beneficial long-term effects on women with breast cancer, but short-term beneficial changes have been less investigated. Though short-term changes may be important as a encouraging factor, this study aimed to investigate immediate changes in self-reported energy, stress, nausea and pain following a single exercise session during chemotherapy. METHODS: Forty-six women who were exercising while undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were included between October 2016 and April 2018. Self-reported energy and stress were assessed before, immediately after and 3 h after exercise sessions by the Stress-Energy Questionnaire. On the same questionnaire nausea and pain were assessed by a Visual Analog Scale. The measurements were completed at four time points during cycles 2 and 5 of the 6-cycle chemotherapy course. RESULTS: Energy level increased immediately after a single exercise session for three out of four periods during the chemotherapy course (p < 0.01), with a larger increase when energy was lower before the session (p < 0.01). Three hours after the exercise session, the energy was about the same level as before the exercise session. Stress decreased immediately after the session during cycle two (p < 0.01) but not cycle five. There were no changes in nausea or pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing chemotherapy should be informed not only about the long-term advantages of exercise, but also immediate benefits in terms of increased energy. The energy increase both while exercise in the beginning and toward the end of the chemotherapy course, this short-term advantageous consequence may strengthen patients' motivation to exercise. Clinicians should also inform patients that exercise does not seem to worsen nausea and pain.

The CPUP Hip Score predicts displacement of the hip in children with cerebral palsy.

AIMS: The Uppföljningsprogram för cerebral pares (CPUP) Hip Score distinguishes between children with cerebral palsy (CP) at different levels of risk for displacement of the hip. The score was constructed using data from Swedish children with CP, but has not been confirmed in any other population. The aim of this study was to determine the calibration and discriminatory accuracy of this score in children with CP in Scotland. METHODS: This was a total population-based study of children registered with the Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway Scotland. Displacement of the hip was defined as a migration percentage (MP) of > 40%. Inclusion criteria were children in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III to V. The calibration slope was estimated and Kaplan-Meier curves produced for five strata of CPUP scores to compare the observed with the predicted risk of displacement of the hip at five years. For discriminatory accuracy, the time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was estimated. In order to analyze differences in the performance of the score between cohorts, score weights, and subsequently the AUC, were re-estimated using the variables of the original score: the child's age at the first examination, GMFCS level, head shaft angle, and MP of the worst hip in a logistic regression with imputation of outcomes for those with incomplete follow-up. RESULTS: The discriminatory accuracy of the score in the new population of 367 children was high (AUC 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 0.86)). The calibration of the score was insufficient (slope 0.48 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.65)), and the absolute risks of displacement of the hip in this population were overestimated. The AUC increased with re-estimated weights (0.85 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.91)). CONCLUSION: The CPUP Hip Score had a high ability to discriminate between children at different levels of risk for displacement of the hip. The score overestimated the absolute risks of displacement in this population, which may have resulted from differences in the way children were initially registered in the two programmes. The results are promising, but the score weights may need re-estimation before its clinical application in Scotland. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(5):640-644.

Genome-wide interaction analysis of menopausal hormone therapy use and breast cancer risk among 62,370 women.

Use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is associated with increased risk for breast cancer. However, the relevant mechanisms and its interaction with genetic variants are not fully understood. We conducted a genome-wide interaction analysis between MHT use and genetic variants for breast cancer risk in 27,585 cases and 34,785 controls from 26 observational studies. All women were post-menopausal and of European ancestry. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test for multiplicative interactions between genetic variants and current MHT use. We considered interaction p-values < 5 × 10-8 as genome-wide significant, and p-values < 1 × 10-5 as suggestive. Linkage disequilibrium (LD)-based clumping was performed to identify independent candidate variants. None of the 9.7 million genetic variants tested for interactions with MHT use reached genome-wide significance. Only 213 variants, representing 18 independent loci, had p-values < 1 × 105. The strongest evidence was found for rs4674019 (p-value = 2.27 × 10-7), which showed genome-wide significant interaction (p-value = 3.8 × 10-8) with current MHT use when analysis was restricted to population-based studies only. Limiting the analyses to combined estrogen-progesterone MHT use only or to estrogen receptor (ER) positive cases did not identify any genome-wide significant evidence of interactions. In this large genome-wide SNP-MHT interaction study of breast cancer, we found no strong support for common genetic variants modifying the effect of MHT on breast cancer risk. These results suggest that common genetic variation has limited impact on the observed MHT-breast cancer risk association.

Bacterial meningitis: Aetiology, risk factors, disease trends and severe sequelae during 50 years in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a rare but severe infection. Few population-based studies have characterised BM episodes and sequelae over long periods. METHODS: This was a population-based observational cohort study with national coverage, using data on aetiological pathogens, sex, premorbid conditions, steroid pretreatment, severe sequelae and birth, death and diagnosis dates collected from 10,339 patients with BM reported to the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden between 1964 and 2014. RESULTS: During the 50-year study period, the incidence of BM decreased in young children, but not in the elderly. The most common cause of BM was pneumococci (34%), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (26%), and meningococci (18%), mainly community acquired. Premorbid conditions were found in 20%. After the H. influenzae type b vaccine was introduced in 1993, the BM incidence decreased by 36%. Following pneumococcal conjugated vaccine introduction in 2009, the incidence and 30-day mortality from pneumococcal meningitis decreased by 64% and 100%, respectively, in previously healthy children, and the 30-day mortality decreased by 64% among comorbid adults. The BM incidence in immunosuppressed patients increased by 3% annually post vaccine introduction. The 30-day mortality was 3% in children and 14% in adults, and the rate of severe sequelae was 44%. On average, patients lost 11 years of healthy life due to BM. CONCLUSION: The introduction of conjugated vaccines into the childhood vaccination program has reduced the incidence of BM in young children, but not in adults. Post vaccine introduction, patients present with more premorbid conditions and other bacterial causes of BM, emphasising the need for a correct diagnosis when treating these infections.

Development of hip displacement in cerebral palsy: a longitudinal register study of 1,045 children.

Background and purpose - Hip surveillance in children with cerebral palsy (CP) includes repeated radiographic hip examinations and measurements of the hip migration percentage (MP) to identify hips in need of surgery early, to prevent dislocation with the fewest number of radiographic examinations possible. We analyzed the early development of the MP in hips operated on to prevent hip dislocation and hips stabilized without surgery Patients and methods - From the Swedish Surveillance Programme for CP, 5,899 radiographic measurements from 1,045 children with a Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-V born in 1996-2011 were analyzed. For children operated on to prevent hip dislocation, measurements up to the most recent preoperative radiograph were included. The hip with highest MP was analyzed for each child. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate the development of the MP at each age for each child and the population mean. Results - In the 702 children who did not undergo preventive surgery, the mean MP increased with decreasing velocity up to age 6 years. Here it reached 24% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24-25), with a velocity of 0.3%/year (CI 0.0-0.5), remaining approximately stable up to age 12 years. In the 343 children who underwent preventive surgery (219 adductor-psoas lengthening, 124 varus derotation osteotomy of proximal femur), the mean MP increased with an increasing velocity from a mean of 30% (CI 27-32) 3 years before the operation. Interpretation - An increasing rate of hip displacement in hips with an MP > 24% indicates the need for preventive surgery. Hips stabilized without preventive surgery had a decreasing displacement rate and were usually stabilized with an MP < 30% at age 6 years.